Some Big Band recommendations please.

If I may suggest 3 for starters...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Swingi...;keywords=buddy+rich

Buddy Rich and his Big Band at its finest.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lovett...t+and+his+large+band

Lyle Lovett in sublime form

and everyone should have a little Basie...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Comple...count+basie+big+band

sorry about the lack of proper links, down to an iPad/Forum incompatibility I guess.

That would be The Complete Atomic Basie, Lyle Lovett and his Large Band (it's not big it's large) and Buddy Rich Swingin' New Big Band.

Humprey Lyttelton.

You haven't heard it from me, OK?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humphrey_Lyttelton

This guy was fooking brilliant.

or you can try:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Loss

We haven't met

Tony

Tony, there is no better big band in jazz than the Ellington orchestra in all its majesty.

I'd recommend Blues in Orbit and and Ellington Uptown, both of which you can get on CD.

Also, no big band swung more than Count Basie's, so I'd go for The Atomic Basie.

And you can get both together on the fabulous First Time! The Count Meets the Duke.

Enjoy!

Thanks Kevin. That's a total of four CDs on their way via Amazon Prime. Can't wait Tony

Do let us know what you think.

+1 Buddy Rich.. Superb stuff. See if you can get a copy of 'Very Alive at Ronnie Scott's'

Simon

Thad Jones/Mel lewis

the logical listening progression from when you have heard all of the Count Basie albums.

oh lets not forget the young or still living artists 

Maria Schneider,''Sky Blue'' fantastic album,and very well recorded too.

+1 Count Basie

I bought the complete Decca recordings on CD - all from 1937-1939 - brilliant.  The band swings!!

I enjoy the Kenny Clarke–Francy Boland Big Band very much!  Their two Live at Ronnie Scott's albums from 1969 (Volcano and Rue Chaptal) are superb.

Glenn Miller

Speaking of Count Basie, "Sinatra at the Sands" is a huge favorite of mine.  Whilst more Frank than Count Basie, I do think it's a great representation of the art form.

I'll second Thad Jones/Mel Lewis "Consummation" on Blue Note. Modern Big Band at it's best!

and also Dave Holland Big Band "What Goes Around" on ECM

Tony, if you're getting into big bands, you might want to try Don Ellis. Big band music with a twist.

This is a good place to start:

Here's a great clip of the DE band doing one of their signature tunes, "Pussywiggle Stomp".

CLICK HERE

I love Don Ellis!   Just the coolest thing going in 1970.

Kris Berg "Metroplexity " is great.

Illinois Jacquet "Jacquet's Got It!"  is great.

Sinatra Ellington "Francis A and Edward K" is worth tracking down on vinyl.  "All I Need Is the Girl" is my favorite Sinatra song and the Ellington band rocks!

Buddy Rich from the 70's.  "Class of 76". "Plays and Plays". "With Mel Torme".  All great.  Some of the BR albums are a little tiresome, so you have to be careful.

Clare Fischer Big Band "Thesaurus ".   "The Duke" is one of the pieces that got me into jazz.   Also "Lennie's Pennies".

Jazz is the best reason to get Spotify that i know of.    Most of the above are there.    None sound very dated if at all.

..of course Buddy Rich..

and something modern and exciting:

another different option: Vince Mendoza